Are
you a registered charity?
We have thought long and hard about this issue and to
date have decided against becoming a registered charity.
Our reason's are that we feel it restricts some of the
work we can do as the charity commission lays down certain
rules for activities we could become involved with. It
involves a great deal more paperwork and costs. At the
moment, it looks as though our annual turnover will dictate
we do not need to be registered. However, we do keep our
accounts open for any members to view should they so wish.
We will review the subject of charity registration at
our next AGM.
Is
this an anti-men group?
Definitely not! Not only do we celebrate the feminine,
but we embrace the fact that there needs to be a balance
in all things. There is a lack of balance throughout our
society and we believe most of these issues would be resolved
by males and females working together side by side in
equal strengths. We are female focused to re-address this
balance.
The
thought of a female only organisation and female empowerment
seems to pose a threat to some men. We do not aim to take
over the world, nor are we saying we are better, simply
that it is time for women to take back their power and
their rightful place side by side with men.
No!
We certainly do not hate men. In fact we don't exclude
them from everything we do. There are some very supportive
and wonderful partners amongst our menfolk who do all
they can to help. In fact some are helping us plan a Goddess
Day to include them!
Is the Goddess Foundation a religious organisation?
The re-emergence of feminine spirituality and empowerment
is not necessarily a religious issue. Whilst the founding
members are of an earth based belief, we do not consider
ourselves to be a religious organisation. The Old Ways,
the ways of The Goddess as a way of life, is about connection
with nature, respect for oneself and each other, and respect
and reverence for the planet. It is an acknowledgment
that it is for each of us to find our own path, and that
others should be given the same courtesy.
We
do not seek to convert. We believe we can learn much from
each other regardless of religion, and whether we agree
or not. The Goddess Foundation aims to bring women of
all faiths together with the same goal of female empowerment
and helping others on many levels.
Whatever
one's beliefs, there are profound words written in all
sacred texts, the most prominent being the promotion of
love. The bible has a classic example of who is my neighbour.
The parable of love thy neighbour is as powerful a message
today as it was when it was written. Love, peace and compassion
is the key, not religion.
The
Goddess Foundation, as does Circle of The Old Ways from
which we evolved, promotes the philosophy of unconditional
love, peace, tolerance and true justice for all.
What are the basic aims of the Goddess Foundation?
To
empower women and create a global Sisterhood to improve
our own lives and society generally.
To
re-discover the Goddess (or wise woman) within and celebrate
the Sacred Feminine (womankind).
Not
to convert to a particular path, but to offer encouragement
and share learning together whilst we each take our own
unique path to empowerment and spiritual development.
To
raise feminine energies for a better world!
Our strap line is 'Raising feminine energies for
a better world'. What does it mean?
We live in a very male dominated world and it is important
for there to be a balance between genders if we are to
see a return to balance in society. Peace, justice, truth,
tolerance and economic justice.
Raising
feminine energies is embracing and celebrating the fact
we are women.
Building
a global Sisterhood and supporting and helping women that
are in need.
Encouraging
women to take their rightful place in society, alongside
and equal to men. We use the quote often from United Nations
who believe that the empowerment of women is necessary
to resolve many world problems. Please see the front page
for the quote and a link to their website.
How
will this be achieved?
By
communication between the Sisterhood.
Encouraging
and supporting Goddess Circles.
Organising
gatherings and events.
To
share wisdom, skills, friendship, fun, and encouragement.
For
those who choose to do so, to get involved in projects
and campaigns.
Share
and build a passion for positive change.
Who are the target membership?
Any
woman with an open mind and a loving heart who sees a
need for positive change.
Whether
a woman considers herself already empowered or still on
the journey, we each have something to offer and something
to learn from each other, for in truth our journey is
life long.
We
have decided upon a minimum age of 18 unless accompanied
by a parent or guardian. There will be some events to
embrace all age ranges, and others that will be adult
only due to the need for a peaceful and quiet environment
for such things as meditation. Membership will be over
18 only.
There
will be those whose youth means they need to absorb wisdom
and knowledge like a sponge, yet they will bring an innocent
and simple wisdom that some may have forgotten.
There
will be those with young families whose energies to share
may be limited whilst they nurture and love their young.
They may offer a compassionate and loving wisdom.
There
will be those who have had their time of campaigning and
seeking and are now content to just be. They may have
much wisdom to offer from life experience.
All
of these stages of life and every stage in between will
have much to share, help and encourage each of us on our
journeys.
If the founding members are of an Earth based
way of life, do you do ceremonies and rituals?
We
do, but rituals are not necessarily part of the Circles.
This very much depends on the individuals at each location
and if they want to be involved. It will also depend on
what women choose to do in each of their Goddess Circles.
Circle
of The Old Ways and The Goddess Foundation were founded
in Littlehampton by Annabell and some friends who supported
the work she was doing. Annabell leads open rituals, handfastings
and various rites of passage ceremonies and plans on facilitating
various ceremonies for any members of the Sisterhood who
would like to take part. Whilst these large gatherings
are a very powerful way for feminine energies to come
together to heal some of the 'ills of the world', it is
in no way compulsory or expected.
There
will be many rituals and ceremonies that are purely Sisterhood
focused. It would also be interesting for us all, if women
from other faiths join us, to see their female based rituals
and ceremonies.
What
is a Goddess Circle?
Goddess Circles are groups of women who come together
with an open mind and a loving heart, in various locations
in a confidential, non-judgmental gathering to share their
compassion, support and wisdom, to understand their connection
with each other and Mother Earth.To be among other beautiful
and inspirational women to share thoughts and emotions
that are sacred to our own unique path. To give and receive,
to laugh and cry together, to have fun and friendship
and to celebrate and understand our womanhood.
All
with a common goal, for self empowerment and spiritual
development, and with an aim to grow to an International
Sisterhood Community, whilst raising the global feminine
energies.
Where
possible, we meet in each others homes. It may be the
case that some Circles need to organise a meeting room
if that is not possible. Each Goddess Circle needs at
least one co-ordinator, so that women can come together
and all offer their wisdom equally.
It
is important to realise that these Goddess Circles are
not professional counselling services. Whilst we are there
to support each other in our own paths, It is for each
woman to take responsibility for their own issues and
seek out professional guidance where necessary. There
is a list of professional organisations on the links page
of the website.
What will be the activities of each Goddess Circle?
This
will very much depend on the women in each circle. We
do encourage emphasis on meditation, as many of our answers
are within and when we are at peace. We particularly encourage
the Global Sisterhood Meditation to be worked on a regular
basis as this is part of the magic we weave to help our
Sisters worldwide and to bond together as a Sisterhood.
There
is a section on the website to nominate a campaign or
cause you may like to be included in, or work on a local
campaign if you so choose. There will be various projects
we work on as an organisation that each Circle is welcome
to take part in.
Journal
writing is also encouraged to keep track of your own personal
journey. A journal is given to each Circle to keep a colourful
and fun record of activities together, to show and share
at the Sisterhood gatherings.
Celebrate
birthdays, anniversaries, the seasons changing, religious
festivals, achievements, International Women's Day, Fair
trade fortnight, International Day of Peace – anything
you decide as a group.
Constructive
and respectful discussions are always empowering.
Don't
forget the fun element though, cooking together, eating
together and laughing together are very uplifting and
bonding.
Trips
out, visit some sacred sites and buildings, countryside
or beach walks. Even a meal out.
Other
than that, it depends very much on what skills, passions
or ideas the women in each Circle have.
There
are worksheets and ideas on the website. This is a community,
as such we welcome contributions and suggestions for inclusion.
What will a Goddess Circle do for me?
To
a large extent that would depend on what you hope to achieve
for yourself, what you put into the Circle, how the members
of the Circle work together and what wisdom each of them
chooses to share.
This
will be enhanced by the Sisterhood gatherings and the
opportunity for members of each Circle to interact and
share wisdom and friendship with other Circles.
How
much will it cost me?
As
an organisation, the annual membership is FREE.
Of
course you are welcome to make a donation if your finances
allow. We have people who are not part of a Goddess Circle
who contribute £10 per month by standing order just
to support our work, and it has been known for anything
up to £40 per month. It really depends on your finances
and how much you believe in the work we are doing. Payments
can be made by cash at our events, cheque or Paypal.
On
a meeting by meeting basis, there may be the cost of a
hall or room you must cover together. If the meeting is
in someone's home, you must decide as a group how you
choose to fund this. You may decide to take it in turns
at each others homes. You may decide to always meet at
the same home and set an amount to cover refreshments
or all bring something to share. The Littlehampton Circle
decided to put £2 per person per meeting in the
'pot'. If the person who's turn it is to bring the cake
so needs, they can have the cost refunded. They have decided
that offering drinks are just part of having guests. The
remaining contributions are used for materials for activities,
or a meal out if they so choose.
If
you need help sorting this, we can discuss together when
helping you to set the Goddess Circle up.
How
do I go about joining a Goddess Circle?
It
is early days and our numbers are yet few, though growing
fast. Please contact us if you would like to be part of
a Goddess Circle and if there is nothing in your area
we will do our best to start one.
How do I go about setting up a Goddess Circle?
We
will be there to help you all the way. More details are
available for members, and someone will be happy to discuss
this with you.
What will the events and gatherings be?
Eventually,
there will probably be events and gatherings organised
by various Goddess Circles with our help where needed.
Meanwhile, we will strive to put on as many events and
gatherings as we can in as many locations as we can. Initially,
as we are based in Littlehampton they will be around the
South East to start with. The development of this will
depend very much on our funding from membership and grants
we can obtain. We will endeavour to make them free if
we can, or at least keep the cost of entry to a minimum.
Some
will be arranged by us, but each woman will pay for her
stay. For example, Michelle from Hampshire organises gatherings
at a Sustainability Centre which has a fee per night and
women bring food to share. In Sussex we organise gatherings
at a camp site where by everyone books themselves in individually
and again we bring food to share.
Events
will be varied. Some will be as the Goddess Circles where
women just come together to share their friendship and
wisdom, some will be purely social, some will be ceremonies,
some will be open days to celebrate our womanhood. It
may be fun to organise one day where many of the Goddess
Circles offer something to entertain and we put on an
informal 'show' together! The list of ideas could be endless.
We
aim on at least one Goddess Day event per year that is
open to families including our lovely menfolk!
Anymore questions?
If
you have any other questions you would like to ask, or
suggestions you wish to make, please do contact us. We
very much look forward to hearing from you.
